The rich pose major threat to employment
I hope the data the welfare changes rely upon take into account the threats to employment – rising use of robots and dwindling tax collections from wealthy citizens and companies, some of whom stand to gain greatly from new technologies.
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Not everyone has, or wants, the bullish capacity to embrace "disruption".
Perhaps it's time to start thinking of investment, not welfare, and using taxes to educate, house and keep healthy our communities to enable people the freedom of empowerment.
Disruption needs to happen slowly.
The decisions politicians are making now allow companies ever more rights and one day they will truly be running the show. But politicians will find succour in the fact that they still live in the wealthy, well-connected bubble of the 1 per centers.
I say disrupt the financial system instead.
Molly Hanrahan, Castlemaine
Every minute matters
Thank you to all our supporters who helped make this National Stroke Week such a huge success.
On behalf of the Stroke Foundation, I would like to thank the thousands of Australians who helped us educate the community about the importance of knowing the signs of stroke this National Stroke Week.
National Stroke Week is our annual campaign to shine the spotlight on stroke, raising awareness of the devastating impact of this insidious disease. Stroke Week is a chance for all Australians to learn about stroke and how they can reduce their own risk.
I am confident there are thousands of people in the community who now know about the FAST message thanks to the more than 2500 activities that were held across the country. With Stroke Week now wrapped up for 2016, it is vital we remember strokes don’t just happen one week of the year. Every 10 minutes an Australian has a stroke. Every 10 minutes someone’s life changes forever.
Stroke is shockingly common in Australia. Yet despite the devastation it causes, this disease is largely unrecognised by the broader community – until it happens to a loved one, a friend or a colleague.
Stroke is largely preventable, but we know that almost 50,000 new and recurring strokes will happen this year. Stroke is treatable but again we know that many stroke patients will miss out on lifesaving treatment because they don’t get to hospital on time.
Stroke strikes suddenly and often without any warning. When it does happens, every minute counts. For every minute that parts of the brain are left without oxygen, brain cells are dying. A speedy reaction to stroke can mean the difference between life and death or permanent disability. Stroke doesn’t have to be a death sentence, it is treatable but people need to know the signs of stroke and get to hospital fast.
Sharon McGowan, Stroke Foundation chief executive officer
Vital health warnings
In an episode of the British comedy, Outnumbered, where the daughter tells of her teacher's claims to be a witch who can cast spells on the class, the father sighs: "What a bloody waste of time the enlightenment was".
I know how he feels. The saga of conwoman Belle Gibson, who seems to have convinced people she cured herself of cancer continues.
It is interesting to note that there has been a furious backlash by readers, angry that publisher Penguin did not practise due diligence before printing her book.
The Castlemaine Local and International Film Festival's organisers would be well advised to warn attendees that the director and co-writer of Vaxxed was responsible for the discredited 1998 study that suggested a link between autism and measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations.
When it comes to our health, the price can be high.